Shuttle for Securing Shoes in a Cylindrical Container

ABSTRACT

A packaging shuttle secures a pair of shoes in a manner suitable for insertion into a cylindrical container. The packaging shuttle secures the shoes in a stacked configuration such that heel portions of the shoes are supported at the lower and upper ends of the shuttle respectively, and the toe portions of the shoes are supported by a toe-supporting structure at a mid-portion of the packaging shuttle. Removable spacers may be inserted into the packaging shuttle adjacent to the lower and upper ends of the shuttle to enable the packaging shuttle to securely accommodate different size shoes using the same packaging shuttle and cylindrical container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/519,058, filed Jun. 13, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This application relates to a securing structure for securing shoes within a cylindrical container.

Description of Related Art

Traditional rectangular shoe boxes fail to add aesthetic appeal to attract consumers to the shoes inside and fail to stand out in shoe stores full of identical rectangular boxes. A cylindrical container provides a unique artistic quality that may attract consumers and differentiate the product from others on the shelf. However, effectively securing a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container using cost-effective materials presents a new challenge. Furthermore, designing a securing structure for securing shoes within a cylindrical container that can accommodate a variety of different shoe sizes within the same size container presents a further challenge.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, a packaging shuttle secures a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container. The packaging shuttle comprises a base plate, a top plate, a toe-securing structure, and a pair of upright supports. The base plate is at a first end of the shuttle adjacent to a heel end of a first shoe. The top plate is at a second end of the shuttle adjacent to a heel end of a second shoe. The toe-securing structure is at a mid-portion of the shuttle. The toe-securing structure secures a toe end of the first shoe and to secure a toe end of the second shoe. The pair of upright supports is coupled between the base plate, top plate, and the toe-securing structure.

In a second embodiment, a packaging system secures a pair of shoes. The packaging system comprises a cylindrical container, a lower spacer, and upper spacer, and a shuttle insertable within the cylindrical container to secure a pair of shoes in a stacked configuration. The shuttle comprises a base plate at a first end of the shuttle, a top plate at a second end of the shuttle, and a toe-securing structure at a mid-portion of the shuttle. The toe-securing structure secures a toe end of a first shoe and a toe end of a second shoe. The lower spacer is insertable adjacent to the base plate to secure a heel end of the first shoe. The upper spacer is insertable adjacent to the top plate to secure a heel end of the second shoe.

In a third embodiment, a packaging shuttle secures a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container. The packaging shuttle comprises a base plate, a top plate substantially parallel to the base plate, a first upright support, a second upright support, a first lateral support, a second lateral support, and a connecting support. The first upright support protrudes from the base plate and supports the top plate. The first upright support has a surface substantially perpendicular to the base plate and the top plate. The first upright support connects adjacent to a first edge of the base plate and connects adjacent to a first edge of the top plate. The second upright support protrudes from the base plate and supports the top plate. The second upright support has a surface substantially perpendicular to the base plate and the top plate. The second upright support connects adjacent to a second edge of the base plate and connects adjacent to a second edge of the top plate. The first lateral support is between the first upright support and the second upright support. The first lateral support is substantially perpendicular to the first upright support and the second upright support. The first lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle that slopes away from a central axis of the base plate with greater distance from the base plate. The second lateral support is between the first upright support and the second upright support. The first lateral support is substantially perpendicular to the first upright support and the second upright surface. The second lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle that slopes away from a central axis of the top plate with greater distance from the top plate. The connecting support is between a lower edge of the first lateral support and an upper edge of the second lateral support so as to form a downward cavity between the first lateral support and to form an upward cavity between the second lateral support and the connecting support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a packaging system for a pair of shoes.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first view of an embodiment of a packaging shuttle for securing a pair of shoes for insertion into a cylindrical container.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second view of an embodiment of a packaging shuttle for securing a pair of shoes for insertion into a cylindrical container.

FIG. 3 illustrates a unibody cut sheet that is foldable into a packaging shuttle configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a packaging shuttle with a pair of spacers for accommodating shoes of different sizes within the same shuttle.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a cut sheet that is foldable in a spacer.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a cut sheet for a spacer in a partially folded configuration.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a spacer formed from a folded cut sheet.

FIG. 8 illustrates spacers being inserted into a packaging shuttle.

FIG. 9 illustrates shoes being inserted into a packaging shuttle.

FIG. 10 illustrates a packaging shuttle securing a pair of shoes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures (FIGS.) and the following description describe certain embodiments by way of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein. Reference will now be made to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality.

A packaging shuttle secures a pair of shoes in a manner suitable for insertion into a cylindrical container. The packaging shuttle secures the shoes in a stacked configuration such that heel portions of the shoes are supported at the lower and upper ends of the shuttle respectively, and the toe portions of the shoes are supported by a toe-supporting structure at a mid-portion of the packaging shuttle. Removable spacers may be inserted into the packaging shuttle adjacent to the lower and upper ends of the shuttle to enable the packaging shuttle to securely accommodate different size shoes using the same packaging shuttle and cylindrical container.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a shuttle 100 securing a pair of shoes 110 (e.g., a first shoe 110-a and second shoe 110-b) for insertion within a cylindrical container 120. The shuttle 100 secures the shoes 110 such that the first shoe 110-a is stacked over the second shoe 110-b (or vice versa) with the shoes oriented in opposite directions. For example, the toe of the first shoe 110-a points downward while the toe of the second shoe 110-b points upward. Furthermore, the bottom soles of both shoes 110 face outward. This configuration supported by the shuttle 100 enables the shoes 110 to be secured within the cylindrical container 120 without damaging the shoes 110 and in a manner that prevents the shoes 110 from shifting during transport of the cylindrical container 120. Furthermore, the shoes 110 are secured in the shuttle 100 without requiring any adhesive or strapping between the shoes and the shuttle 100, thus enabling the shoes to be inserted and removed quickly and simply. Further still, by using adjustable spacers described in further detail below, the shuttle 100 may accommodate a range of different shoe sizes.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a detailed view of the shuttle 100. The shuttle 100 comprises a base plate 202, a top plate 204, a first upright support 210 (including a first lower support 212 and a first upper support 214), a second upright support 220 (including a second lower support 222 and a second upper support 224), a first lateral support 216, a second lateral support 226, and a connecting support 230. The shuttle 100 may also optionally include an adjustable lower spacer and an adjustable upper spacer (not shown in FIG. 2) described in further detail below.

The base plate 202 and top plate 204 may each comprise substantially rectangular sheets which may have straight or rounded edges (e.g., straight edges oriented in one direction and round edges along another direction). The major surfaces of the base plate 202 and the top plate 204 may be oriented substantially parallel to each other. The first upright support 210 and the second upright support 220 protrude from the base plate 202 and support the top plate 204. The upright supports 210, 220 each comprise elongated sheets which may form a “lightning bolt” shape described in further detail below. The major surfaces of the upright supports 210, 220 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the base plate 202 and to the top plate 204. The first upright support 210 is connected adjacent to a first edge (e.g., a first straight edge) of the base plate 202 and connected adjacent to a first edge (e.g., a first straight edge) of the top plate 204. The second upright support 220 is similarly connected adjacent to a second edge (e.g., a second straight edge opposite the first straight edge) of the base plate 202 and connected adjacent to the second edge (e.g., a second straight edge opposite the first straight edge) of the top plate 204.

The first upright support 210 comprises a first lower support 212 and a first upper support 214. Similarly the second upright support 220 comprises a second lower support 222 and a second upper support 224. The lower supports 212, 222 are each coupled to the base plate 202 and have respective outer edges that angle away from a central axis through the base plate 202 such that a distance from the respective outer edges to the central axis increases with increasing distance from the base plate 202. The upper supports 214, 224 are each coupled to the top plate 204 and have respective outer edges that angle away from a central axis through top base plate 204 such that a distance from the respective outer edges to the central axis increases with increasing distance from the top plate 204. The angle of the outer edges of the lower supports 212, 222 and upper supports 214, 224 may be approximately equal such that the outer edges are parallel to each other.

The lower supports 212, 222 and upper supports 214, 224 furthermore may all have inner edges approximately parallel to each other. The inner edges of the lower supports 212, 222 may be offset from the inner edges of the upper supports 214, 224 such that an overlap region exists where the lower supports 212, 222 and upper supports 214, 224 respectively meet. The overall shape of the upright supports 210, 220 may thus form lightning bolt or zig-zag pattern as depicted in FIGS. 2A-B and FIGS. 8-10.

The first lateral support 216 connects the first lower support 212 of the first upright support 210 and the second lower support 222 of the second upright support 220. Similarly, the second lateral support 226 connects the first upper support 214 of the first upright support 210 and the second upper support 224 of the second upright support 220. The lateral supports 216, 226 may each comprise a rectangular sheet having a major surface that extends along a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the major surfaces of the first upright support 210 and the second upright support 220. The major surfaces of the lateral supports 216, 226 are furthermore each oriented parallel to each other and at an angle relative a central axis perpendicular to the base plate 202 and the top plate 204. Particularly, a distance between the major surface of the first lateral support 216 and the central axis increases with increasing distance from the base plate 202 and decreases with increasing distance from the top plate 204. A distance between the major surface of the second lateral support 226 and the central axis decreases with increasing distance from the base plate 202 and increases with increasing distance from the top plate 204.

A connecting support 230 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2A because the surface is obscured) is connected between a lower edge (closest to the bottom plate 202) of the first lateral support 216 and an upper edge (closest to the top plate 204) of the second lateral support 216. The connecting support 230 may comprise a substantially rectangular sheet having a major surface perpendicular to the major surface of the upright supports 210, 220 and oriented at an angle. The connecting support 230 and the lateral supports 216, 226 may meet at a point such that the lateral supports 216, 226 and connecting support 230 have a zigzag cross-section, or the top and bottom edges of the connecting support 230 may be folded to form a horizontal surface that meets with the lateral supports 216, 226. The lateral supports 216, 226 and the connecting support 230 collectively form a toe-securing structure at a mid-portion of the packaging shuttle 100 for securing the toe portions of the shoes as will be described below. Particularly, the combination of the first lateral support 216 and the connecting support 230 form a cavity while the combination of the second lateral support 226 and the connecting support 230 form an upside-down cavity that can respectively support the toes of the first and second shoes 110 as will be described in further detail below.

The shuttle 100 may be made from any suitable material such as cardboard, plastic, or a combination of materials.

In an embodiment, the top plate 202, bottom plate 204, upright supports 210, 220, lateral supports 216, 226, and connecting support 230 may all be formed from a single continuous cut sheet folded into the configuration of FIGS. 2A-B. FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a cut sheet 300 that can be folded into the shuttle of FIGS. 2A-B. In an embodiment, an adhesive or other fastener may be used to connect non-continuous edges of the cut sheet 300. In alternative embodiments, tabs may be integrated into the cut sheet 300 to enable non-continuous edges to be connected without an adhesive or other external fasteners. Utilizing a shuttle structure that can be formed in this manner form a single cut sheet 300 enables low-cost manufacturing and compact storing of the cut sheets 300 prior to assembly. The cut sheet 300 may be comprised of cardboard, flexible plastic, or other similar material.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an assembled shuttle 100 with an optional removable lower spacer 402 and upper spacer 404. The spacers 402, 404 provide support surfaces above the base plate 202 and below the top plate 404 respectively for securing the heel portions of the shoes. By modifying the size of the spacers 402, 404 or removing the spacers 402, 404 entirely, the shuttle 100 can accommodate shoes of different lengths. In an embodiment, the spacers 402, 404 are identically constructed from a folded sheet that can be folded along different lines to create spacers 402, 404 of different heights, thus accommodating different size shoes.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment, of an unfolded spacer 500 that can be used as a lower spacer 402 or upper spacer 404. The unfolded spacer 500 comprises an inner region 506, mid-regions 504, and outer regions 502. The inner region 506 comprises a quasi-rectangular surface that may have rounded or straight edges. The inner region 506 may be sized and shaped to substantially conform to the size and shape of the base plate 202 and top plate 204. The mid-regions 504 connect to respective straight edges of the inner region 506 at fixed fold lines 510 (e.g., perforated lines to accommodate easy folding). The mid-regions 504 include a plurality of parallel selectable fold lines 508 (e.g., perforated lines to accommodate easy folding). Each of the selectable fold line 508 correspond to a different shoe size and may be marked as such. To configure the spacer 500, the spacer 500 is folded along the fixed fold lines 510 so as to form an approximate right angle between the inner region 506 and the mid regions 504. To accommodate a particular shoe size, the spacer 500 is also folded along selected ones of the selectable fold lines 508 corresponding to the desired shoe size so as to form an approximate right angle between the mid-regions 504 and the outer regions 502. The outer regions 506 are folded inwards so as to lay under the inner region 506. FIG. 6 illustrates a partially folded configuration of the spacer 500. FIG. 7 illustrates the folded spacer. When folded in this way, the mid-regions 504 form upright supports for the surface of the inner region 506 with a height dependent on which of the selectable fold lines 508 is selected. The selectable fold lines 508 may be positioned such that when folded in this way, the mid-regions 504 form upright supports of appropriate height to accommodate particular shoe sizes. Thus, spacers of different height may be created from a single pre-folded spacer design such that a range of shoe sizes may be accommodated from the same set of cut sheets. The spacers 402, 404 may be made from any suitable material such as cardboard or plastic.

FIG. 8 illustrates the lower spacer 402 and the upper spacer 404 being positioned within the shuttle 100. Particularly, the upper spacer 404 slides between the upper supports 214, 224 adjacent to the top plate 402 such that the outer regions 502 of the upper spacer 404 contact the top plate 204 and the mid-regions 504 of the upper spacer 404 contact respective inner surfaces of the upper supports 214, 224. In an embodiment, an adhesive (e.g., glue or tape) or other fastener may be used to secure the mid-regions 504 of the upper spacer 404 against the inner surfaces of the upper supports 214, 224 to hold it in place. Similarly, the lower spacer 402 is positioned within the shuttle 100 such that the outer regions 502 of the lower spacer 402 contact the base plate 202 and the mid-regions 504 of the upper spacer 404 contact respective inner surfaces of the lower supports 212, 222 (and may be attached via an adhesive or other fastener).

FIG. 9 illustrates the shoes 110 being placed within the lower and upper portions of the shuttle 100. The toe of the shoe 110-b slides into the cavity formed by the upper lateral support 226 and connecting support 230 and the heel of the shoe 110-b rests against the lower spacer 402 (or base plate 202 if no lower spacer 402 is used). The toe of the shoe 110-a slides into the cavity formed by the lower lateral support 216 and the connecting support 230 and the heel of the shoe 110-a rests against the upper spacer 404 (or top plate 404 if no upper spacer 404 is used).

FIG. 10 illustrates the shoes positioned within the shuttle 100.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.

The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims. 

1. A packaging shuttle for securing a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container, the packaging shuttle comprising: a base plate; a top plate substantially parallel to the base plate; a first upright support protruding from the base plate and supporting the top plate, the first upright support having a surface substantially perpendicular to the base plate and the top plate, the first upright support connected adjacent to a first edge of the base plate and connected adjacent to a first edge of the top plate; a second upright support protruding from the base plate and supporting the top plate, the second upright support having a surface substantially perpendicular to the base plate and the top plate, the second upright support connected adjacent to a second edge of the base plate and connected adjacent to a second edge of the top plate, a first lateral support between the first upright support and the second upright support, the first lateral support substantially perpendicular to the first upright support and the second upright support, and the first lateral support having a surface oriented at an angle that slopes away from a central axis of the base plate with greater distance from the base plate; and a second lateral support between the first upright support and the second upright support, the first lateral support substantially perpendicular to the first upright support and the second upright surface, and the second lateral support having a surface oriented at an angle that slopes away from a central axis of the top plate with greater distance from the top plate; and a connecting support between a lower edge of the first lateral support and an upper edge of the second lateral support so as to form a downward cavity between the first lateral support and the connecting support and to form an upward cavity between the second lateral support and the connecting support.
 2. The packaging shuttle of claim 1, further comprising: a removable lower spacer positioned between the first upright support and the second upright support above the base plate, the removable spacer having a surface substantially parallel to the base plate; and a removable upper spacer adjacent to the top plate between the first upright support and the second upright support below the top plate, the removable upper spacer having a surface substantially parallel to the top plate.
 3. The packaging shuttle of claim 2, wherein the removable lower spacer is coupled to the first upright support and the second upright support via first adhesives, and wherein the removable upper spacer is coupled to the first upright support and the second upright support via second adhesives.
 4. The packaging shuttle of claim 2, wherein the removable lower spacer and the removable upper spacer each comprise: a foldable sheet having a plurality of perforated lines symmetric about a center line of the foldable sheet, the foldable sheet at least partially folded along at least two folded lines on opposite sides of the center line such that an inner region of the foldable sheet between the at least two folded lines is supported by support regions of the foldable sheet outside of the two folded lines.
 5. The packaging shuttle of claim 2, wherein the removable lower space and the removable upper space each comprise a foldable sheet structured to include: an inner region between a first folded line on a first side of a center line and a first folded line on a second side of the center line; a first upright region between the first folded line and a second folded line on the first side of the center line outside the first folded line on the first side, the first upright region substantially perpendicular to the inner region; a second upright region between the first folded line on the second side and a second folded line on the second side outside the first folded line on the second side, the second upright region substantially perpendicular to the inner region; a first outer region outside the second folded line on the first side substantially parallel to and offset from the inner region; and a second outer region outside the second folded line on the second side substantially parallel to and offset from the inner region.
 6. The packaging shuttle of claim 1, wherein the first upright support comprises: a first lower support coupled to the base plate and having an outer edge at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the base plate such that a distance from the outer edge to a center axis through the base plate increases with distance from the base plate; a first upper support coupled to the top plate and to the first lower support, the first upper support having an outer edge approximately at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the top plate such that a distance from the outer edge to a center axis through the top plate increases with distance from the top plate, wherein the outer edge of the first lower support is approximately parallel to the outer edge of the first upper support.
 7. The packaging shuttle of claim 6, wherein the first lateral support is coupled adjacent to the outer edge of the first lower support and adjacent to the outer edge of the second lower support, and wherein the second lateral support is coupled adjacent to the outer edge of the first upper support and adjacent to the outer edge of the second upper support.
 8. The packaging shuttle of claim 1, wherein the packaging shuttle is formed from a unibody foldable cut sheet.
 9. A packaging system for securing a pair of shoes comprising: a cylindrical container; a shuttle insertable within the cylindrical container to secure a pair of shoes in a stacked configuration, the shuttle comprising: a base plate at a first end of the shuttle; a top plate at a second end of the shuttle; and a toe-securing structure at a mid-portion of the shuttle, the toe-securing structure to secure a toe end of a first shoe and a a toe end of a second shoe; a lower spacer insertable adjacent to the base plate to secure a heel end of the first shoe; and an upper spacer insertable adjacent to the top plate to secure a heel end of the second shoe.
 10. The packaging system of claim 9, wherein the toe-securing structure comprises: a first lateral support comprising a first sheet; a second lateral support comprising a second sheet; and a connecting support comprising a third sheet connecting a lower edge the first lateral support and an upper edge of the second lateral support such that a first cavity exists for securing the toe end of the first shoe between the first lateral support and the connecting support and a second cavity exists for securing the toe end of the second shoe between the second lateral support and the connecting support.
 11. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein the first lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle that slopes away from a central axis of the base plate with greater distance from the base plate; and wherein the second lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle that slopes away from a central axis of the top plate with greater distance from the top plate.
 12. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein the first lateral support, the second lateral support, and the connecting support are each supported by a pair of upright supports.
 13. The packaging system of claim 9, wherein the lower spacer comprises: a foldable sheet having a plurality of perforated lines symmetric about a center line of the foldable sheet, the foldable sheet at least partially folded along at least two folded lines on opposite sides of the center line such that an inner region of the foldable sheet between the at least two folded lines is supported by support regions of the foldable sheet outside of the two folded lines.
 14. The packaging system of claim 9, wherein the packaging shuttle is formed from a unibody foldable cut sheet.
 15. A packaging shuttle for securing a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container, the packaging shuttle comprising: a base plate at a first end of the shuttle adjacent to a heel end of a first shoe; a top plate at a second end of the shuttle adjacent to a heel end of a second shoe; a toe-securing structure at a mid-portion of the shuttle, the toe-securing structure to secure a toe end of the first shoe and to secure a toe end of the second shoe; and a pair of upright supports coupled between the base plate, top plate, and toe-securing structure.
 16. The packaging shuttle of claim 15, wherein the toe-securing structure comprises: a first lateral support comprising a first sheet; a second lateral support comprising a second sheet; and a connecting support comprising a third sheet connecting a lower edge the first lateral support and an upper edge of the second lateral support such that a first cavity exists for securing the toe end of the first shoe between the first lateral support and the connecting support and a second cavity exists for securing the toe end of the second shoe between the second lateral support and the connecting support.
 17. The packaging shuttle of claim 16, wherein the first lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle that slopes away from a central axis of the base plate with greater distance from the base plate; and wherein the second lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle that slopes away from a central axis of the top plate with greater distance from the top plate.
 18. The packaging shuttle of claim 16, wherein the first lateral support, the second lateral support, and the connecting support are each supported by the pair of upright supports.
 19. The packaging shuttle of claim 15, further comprising: a lower spacer insertable adjacent to the base plate to secure a heel end of the first shoe; and an upper spacer insertable adjacent to the top plate to secure a heel end of the second shoe.
 20. The packaging shuttle of claim 15, wherein the packaging shuttle is formed from a unibody foldable cut sheet. 